Spherical shell and spin detector

ABSTRACT

An indoor golf game including a spherical target which is arranged so that all points thereon are equidistant from the tee point. Golf balls rebound from the target at a low velocity, and are returned to the tee area by an inclined runway and a ball elevator system including a motor driven wheel which engages the ball at the tee area. Electrical switches arranged in an arcuate row relative the tee point are actuated by balls rolling down the runway and cooperate with sensors in the target and at the tee point to provide information relating to the theoretical free flight trajectory of the ball, which is projected on a scene of a golf course by a computer controlled golf ball spot projector. The target is formed of interchangeable components to enhance the overall life thereof and the sensors therein are in the form of spaced conductive rubber strips extending horizontally and vertically.

United States Patent 1 1 3,591,184

[72] Inventors Robert M. Conltlln 3,364.75l H1968 Cornell et al 4.273ll8l R X Musiegon; 3,523,689 8/l970 Cornell et al. a 273/l85 R X :83"Andcmfi' spun! Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo 2 1 pp No 820.558AnameyHofgren. Wegren, Allen, Stellman and McCord [22] Filed Apr. 30,I969 [45] Patented July 6, I97] [73] Assignee Brunswick CorporationABSTRACT: An indoor golf game including a spherical target which isarranged so that all points thereon are equidistant [54) 3'2: atfish:SPIN DETECTOR from the tee point. Golf balls rebound from the target ata low velocity, and are returned to the tee area by an inclined run-(SZI US. 273/!76 way and a n devamrsystem including a motor driven whee]FA, 273/182 R. 273/! 85 A, 273/I 81 E. 273/l8l which engages the ball atthe tee area. Electrical switches ar- K, 273/ l 35 E ranged in anarcuate row relative the tee point are actuated by l l l -A63b69/36,balls rolling down the runway and cooperate with sensors in A63! 67/02the target and at the tee point to provide information relating 173/176.to the theoretical free flight trajectory of the ball, which is prolsltI821 jected on a scene of a golf course by a computer controlled golfball spot projector. The target is formed of interchangea- (56] Rem-M GMble components to enhance the overall life thereof and the UNITED STATESPATENTS sensors therein are in the form of spaced conductive rubber3,128,627 4/1964 273/185 E strips extending horizontally and vertically.

PATENTED JUL 6 IQYI SHEET 2 BF 5 PATENTEUJUL 6|97| 3,591. 184

SHEET 3 [1F 5 PATENTEH JUL 6 I971 SHEET Q BF 5 PATENTEU JUL 6 :97:

SHEET 5 OF 5 SPHERICAL SHELL AND SPIN DETECTOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The ever increasing popularity of the game of golf hasresulted, as of late, in a number of commercial establishments whereinthe game of golf played on an outdoor course may be simulated indoors.Depending upon the manufacturer of the equipment used in such an indoorgolf game, the same will provide a simulation of the outdoor game of agreater or lesser degree of realism and this difference is due to thedegree of so' phistication used in such games.

The more sophisticated games currently in commercial operation, inaddition to the use of a plurality of scenes dis played on a screen togive the golfer a view as it would be seen from a particular location ona golf hole as is well known in the art, utilize ball spot projectorswhich project, on the projected scene, a spot of light and move the sameboth vertically and horizontally to depict the flight of the ballrelative to the terrain depicted by the scene. Additionally, the size ofthe spot projected on the screen is regulated to give the illusion ofdistance.

Commercialized golf games utilizing such a ball spot projec tor havebeen extremely successful, principally due to the ball spot projectionsystem which provides a visual display along the lines of that seen bythe golfer on an outdoor course. How ever, in order to provide such adisplay, much more sophisticated equipment is required.

Quite surprisingly, one of the most expensive elements used in a systemhaving a ball spot projector of the type mentioned previously is thedata acquisition system which determines certain parameters of theinitial trajectory of the ball hit from a tee point used in the indoorgame and feeds appropriate parameter information to a computer whichthen utilizes the information to operate the ball spot projector.

Previously, photocell arrays have been utilized for detecting certaininformation and while successful, such photocell detecting matricesrequire a great deal of effort to install inasmuch as a plurality of thephotocells must be used and a cor responding number of light sources arerequired. Each light source must be focused very precisely on itsassociated photocell and, of course, the photocells must be preciselylocated with respect to both the tee point and a target, which, in turn,must be precisely located with respect to a spin detector. Thus, such asystem may be economically disadvantageous.

Other proposed data acquisition systems have a number of disadvantagesin terms of their durability, nonlinearity of output due to geometry,inability to detect without error due to geometry, small size or otherspecial requirements, and are either impractical, uneconomical, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improved dataacquisition system for use in indoor golf games wherein a sphericaltarget is arranged to have its center at the tee point of an indoor golfgame so that all points on the target are equidistant from the teepoint. As a result, the distance from the tee point and the target atany point therein is constant. Means are also provided to measure thetime required for a ball to pass from the tee point to the target andsince the distance is constant, the measurement of time will alwaysprovide an accurate indication of the initial velocity of a ball.

Furthermore, by means of conductive rubber matrices built within thetarget itself, information relative to the initial elevation angle of ashot hit from the tee point 22 may be provided in terms of an electricalsignal and initial azimuth angle information may be provided in terms ofan electrical signal.

The target is also formed of a material that will absorb a great deal ofenergy of a ball impacting thereagainst so that there is no danger ofthe ball rebounding from the target back to the tee to strike a golfer.Spin detecting means located just below the plane of the tee arearranged to receive the slowly rebounding ball and provide informationas to side spin on the hall. For ease of construction, the spindetecting means merely comprise an arcuate array of switches interposedbetween the tee and the target with the center of the are at the teepoint.

The target is formed of a plurality of identical and/or symmetricalsegments which may be readily interchanged to equalize wear and/orfacilitate changing of a defective portion of the target therebyminimizing maintenance costs.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a block view of a computing systemfor use in an indoor golf game which may use a data acquisition meansmade according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an indoor golf game tee utilizing dataacquisition means made according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the ten area with parts broken awayfor clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the tee area with partsbroken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustrating aportion of the data acquisition means;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section illustrating switch means used for dataacquisition purposes;

FIG. 7 is a graphlike schematic illustrating a portion of theconstruction ofa target;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section illustrating the constructionof the target;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation illustrating a portionof the target; and

FIG. I0 is a schematic illustration illustrating the relation of thetarget to spin detecting means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the more sophisticated typesof indoor golf games currently known, five signals determined by theinitial trajectory of a shot are utilized in computation although themanner of utilization may vary. A typical indoor golf game computing anddisplay system utilizing the five signals is illustrated in FIG. I inblock form.

Typically, a signal is desired when the ball has been hit by a golferand such a signal is provided by a tee trigger I2 which may be eitherphotoelectric means or vibration sensitive transducer cooperating with apredetermined tee point to detect either the absence of a ball at thetee point or the impact between the club and the ball when the ball isbeing hit. Such means are well known in the art and need not bedescribed further.

A second required signal is one which is generated when the ball, afterbeing bit, has travelled a predetermined distance. This signal may beprovided by collision impact sensing means in a target, and is utilizedto permit a time measurement of the period required for the ball to passfrom the tee point to the target.

A third signal indicating the initial signal of elevation of the shot isalso utilized. Such a signal is obtained in the instant invention bymeans of an elevation matrix 13 in a target. Since the elevation meansis included in the target, the generation of elevation information mayalso be used to provide the second signal mentioned in the precedingparagraph, namely, that which indicates when the ball has travelled apredetermined distance from the tee point.

A fourth signal indicating the initial azimuth angle is also requiredand the invention includes an azimuth matrix 14 also embedded in thetarget for generating such a signal. The azimuth matrix I4 may alsoserve alone or with the elevation matrix 13 to provide the second signalmentioned previously.

Finally, a fifth signal indicating side spin on the ball is required.Accordingly, a spin matrix 15 is provided.

The first and second signals which designate the time required for theball to pass from the tee point to the target are used to control atiming means 16. Depending upon the nature of the system, the timingmeans may make use of such information to provide information relativeto the initial velocity of the ball as it left the tee point or may bemore directly converted into some sort of a distance measurement.

Inasmuch as the initial angle of elevation of a shot detected by thematrix 13 has an effect on the distance that a shot would travel, theinformation provided by the matrix is fed to a computer 17. Similarly,azimuth information from the azimuth matrix 14 is fed to the computer17. Finally, spin information is ultimately fed to the computer 17.

However, inasmuch as spin is customarily measured in proportion to thedegree of deviation of a ball from a rebound path which the ball wouldfollow if it would not have spin placed thereon, before spin informationbecomes meaningful, it must be compared with azimuth information.Accordingly, information from both the azimuth matrix 14 and the spinmatrix is first provided to a spin displacement circuit 38 before beingfed to the computer 17. Once the degree of displacement due to spin isdetermined by the circuit 18, and fed to the computer, the computer I7is provided with all information required to vectorially resolve andproject the theoretical free flight trajectory of the ball.

The computer 17 will typically determine the three vectorial componentsof the flight of the ball which are known in the art as the X component,the Y component and the 2" component.

The X" component represents the vector in a direction transverse to aline extending straightaway from the tee point and in a horizontalplane. The Y" component represents the vector in the vertical directionand the 2" component represents the vector along the aforementioned lineextending straightaway from the tee point.

Signals representing the "X", Y and Z components are then fed typicallyto a ball spot projector 19 which customarily projects a spot of lighton a scene depicting the view from a portion of a golf course and movesthe spot in a manner to indicate the flight of the ball. The "X" signalcauses movement of the projected spot in the right-left direction whilethe Y signal controls spot movement in the vertical direction. The Zcomponent is typically used to control the size of the spot so that asthe ball in its simulated flight flies further and further from the teepoint, the size of the spot of light projected by the ball spotprojector I9 is diminished.

While various forms of timing means 16, computer 17, spin displacementcircuit 18 and ball spot projector 19 are known, one form of theseelements ideally suited for use with the data acquisition means of theinstant invention is disclosed in the copending application (Ser. No.588,922,) of Russell et al., filed Oct. 24, i966, entitled "Golf GameComputing System," now US. Pat. No. 3,513,707, and assigned to theinstant application, the details of which are herein incorporated byreference.

The exemplary embodiment of a tee embodying a data acquisition systemmade according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes atee area defined by a horizontal surface, generally designated 20,having a predetermined tee point 22 at which a golf ball is adapted tobe disposed to be hit therefrom by a golfer when the game is beingplayed. The horizontal surface also includes an opening 24 which mayprovide the golfer with access to a ball return system.

Above the surface 20 there is mounted a scene projector 26 which isadapted to project scenes representing the view from various portions ofone or more holes on a golf course on a generally vertically disposedscreen, generally designated 28, located forwardly of the tee point 22.Adjacent the scene projcctor 26 there may be located a ball spotprojector I9 which is operated by the computer 17 responsive to the dataacquisition system of the instant invention to project a spot of light32 on the screen 28. As is known in the art, the ball spot projector 19is adapted to change the size of the spot of light 32 as well as to movethe same up and down and to the left and right to indicate to the golferthe nature of the trajectory of a ball bit from the tee point 22.

Behind the screen 28 there is located a spherical target, generallydesignated 34, which forms part of the data acquisition system. Thespherical target 34 has its center at the tee point 22 for purposes aswill be seen hereinafter. At the lower edge of the target 34 andforwardly thereof interposed between the tee point 22 and the target 34is located a ball rebound surface, generally designated 36, whichgenerally slopes downwardly toward the tee point 22 so that ballsrebounding from the target 34 roll along the ball rebound surface 36 tobe received by a spin detector, generally designated 38, locatedforwardly of the tee point 22. The spin detector 38 is arranged in theform ofa circular are having its center at the tee point 22.

Before turning to a more detailed description of the just describedcomponents, certain general principles of operation of the inventionwill be briefly described to aid in the understanding thereof. Becausethe target 34 is spherical and has its center at the tee point 22, itwill be appreciated that any ball hit from the tee point 22 without spinwill tend to rebound back toward the tee point 22. However, if a ballhit from the tee point 22 has side-spin placed thereon by a golfer, eventhough it will hit the target 34 in a direction normal to the surface ofthe latter, it will not rebound directly toward the tee point 22 becauseof the effect of side-spin during the collision. Specifically, if it beconsidered that a right-handed golfer strikes a ball from the tee point22 in such a way as to place socalled hook" spin (commonly that type ofspin on a ball which causes the same to curve to the left of aright-handed golfer in flight) on the ball, the ball will, uponencountering the target 34, tend to rebound to the right of the teepoint 22. Similarly, for a ball hit with so-called slice spin (commonlythat type of spin which will cause a ball in flight to curve to theright of a right-handed golfer), the ball will rebound from the target34 in a direction to the left of the tee point 22. The purpose of thespin detector 38 is to measure the amount of such deviation from a linedrawn between the point of collisionand the tee point with the amount ofsuch deviation being a measure of the degree of hook or slice spinimparted to the ball when it was hit.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the specifics of the construction of thetee area 20 and the ball return surface 36 will now be described.

The tee area 20 is defined by three panels 40, 42 and 44 supported by achannel or l-beam framework, generally designated 46 which is secured byany suitable means to the floor 48 of the building in which the indoorgolf game is to be installed. The nature of the arrangement is generallysuch that the upper surface of the panels 40, 42 and 44 is only about l5inches above the floor 48 to avoid any necessity of a multilevel floorin the building.

The panel 44 is secured by means of a hinge 50 to the panel 42 which isfixed and panel 40 is secured by means of a hinge 52 to the fixed panel42. As will be seen, the use of the hinges $0 and 52 permit readyswiveling of the panels 40 and 44 to expose spin detecting means 38 anda portion of a ball return associated with the ball return opening 24 inthe tee area 20.

If desired, the upper surface of the panels 40, 42 and 44 may be coveredwith any suitable carpeting or artificial grass material to improve theaesthetic nature of the installation.

The ball rebound surface 36 is formed of a canvas or other suitablematerial stretched taut about a pair of arcuate forms 60 and 62, both ofwhich have their centers of curvature on a vertical line drawn throughthe tee point 20. The canvas defining the ball rebound surface 36includes at opposite ends, loops 64 which receive rods 66. Portions ofthe loops 64 are cut out so that hook members 68 may be engaged with therods 66 and secured to the form 62 or to a spring 70 secured to the form60. The use of the springs 70 insures that the canvas forminghereboundsurface 36 will be maintained taut at all tiwi As best seen in FIG. 4,it will be noted that the upper end of the form 60 is somewhat lowerthan the form 62 so that the ball rebound surface 36 slopes rathergently from lefl to rigit. As mentioned, the purpose of this slope is toinsure that balls rebounding from the target 34 will be returned to thespin detector 38.

The base of the target 34 is located adjacent the form 62 to completethe geometric interrelation between the rebound surface 36 and thetarget 34. Finally, side members 70 and 72 along with a center member 74are interposed between the forms 60 and 62 to maintain the two in theproper relationship with respect to each other. Additionally, the upperedges of the side members 70 and 72 may be located a slight distanceabove the upper surface of the canvas forming the ball rebound surface36 to aid in confining balls to the rebound surface 36.

Adjacent the forwardmost end of the tee area and to the sides thereof,there may be provided cylindrical posts 80 interposed between the floor48 and the ceiling (not shown) of the building for supporting strandscomprising the penetrable screen 28.

As viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the form 60 is located just under andrearwardly of the forward edge of the tee area 20 as defined by theforward edge of the panel 44. Depending from the forward edge of thepanel 44 and just above the end of the canvas defining the ball reboundsurface 36 is the spin detector 38. The spin detector 38 is comprised ofsome 37 switches 82 mounted on brackets 84 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The brackets84 are, in turn, secured to a form 86 which is arcuate in shape and hasits center located at the tee point 22. As will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter, each one of the switches 82 is adapted to beactuated by a ball rolling on the rebound surface 36.

As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, 37 of the switches 82 areemployed. In the exemplary embodiment, there is one central switch whichis located on a line extending straight away from the tee point 22toward the target 34. The next 10 switches on either side thereof arespaced from each other a distance of I and the Ilth switch on each sideis spaced from the lOth switch by a distance of I55". Thereafter, theremaining switches are spaced from each other a distance of 2. In anyevent, some 37 spin detecting zones are defined by the switches 82. Ofcourse, a greater or lesser number could be used depending upon thedegree of accuracy required of the data acquisition system.

Extending from the rightmost end of the ball rebound sur face 36 as seenin FIGS. 3 and 4, is a ball return surface I00 which is comprised of asolid panel covered with a canvas layer. The ball return surface I00again slopes gently from left to right and its leftmost end is mountedin close proximity to the rightmost end of the ball rebound surface 36by means of brackets I02 mounted on the form 60 and bearing adjustmentbolts 104. The upper ends of the adjustment bolts 104 serve to supportthe return surface 100.

The rightmost end of the return surface I00 is supported by a hookmember I06 which is secured to a member 108 of the supporting frame 46.The member I08 is located approximately at the forwardmost end of theplatform member 40.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the sides of the ball return surface 100 includeretaining elements 110 which are arranged to converge from left toright. The retaining members IIO have their upper surface at a levelhigher than the upper surface of the return surface I00 to provide aretaining function and as a result, when a ball has passed the spindetector 38 and is rolling on the return surface I00, it will tend to bedirected to a point I I2 adjacent the forward edge of the platformmember 40. The point H2 is arranged to provide an opening for thereturning ball to a three rail return system comprised of a center railI14 and two side rails II6 which extend from the point II2 to a locationbehind the tee point 22. The two side rails 1 16 are somewhat higherthan the center rail I14 so as to confine the golf ball and the overallarrangement is such that the track defined by the rails 114 and 116slopes gently from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 until anelevating point I20 is reached. The point I20 is very low in closeadjacency to the floor 40 and elevator means, generally designated 122,are arranged to elevate golf balls received at the point I20 to acollector I24 disposed just below the ball return opening 24. Theelevator means includes an arcuate channel member I26 which is arrangedto receive balls from the rails I I4 and 116 at the point 120 and alsoempties into an opening I28 in the collector I24.

A motor driven wheel is arranged to have its periphery disposed adjacentthe open end of the arcuate channel 126 and as a result, when a golfball is received at the point 120, it will be contacted by the wheel I30and the direction of rotation of the latter is such that it will causethe ball to roll within the channel 126 upwardly until it is pagedthrough the opening I28 in the collector I24 to be received and retainedin the latter. Thereafter, a golfer may obtain a golf ball simply byreaching through the opening 24 and removing a ball from the container124.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the nature of the mounting of the switches82 will be described in greater detail. The switches 82 are conventionalmicroswitches having a rotary actuator I30 protruding from the sidethereof. A pair of screws I32 are used to secure the microswitches 82 tothe brackets 84. The brackets 84 are, in turn, secured by a screw 134 tothe form 86 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of the panel 44.

If desired, for adjustment purposes, a air of vertically elongated slots136 may be provided to receive the screws I32 to provide for verticaladjustment of the microswitches 82. By the same token, a horizontallyelongated slot 138 in the brackets 84 permits horizontal adjustment ofthe location of the microswitches.

Secured to the rotary actuator I30 of each microswitch 82 is a wirelikeelement having a vertically depending portion I39 which terminates in ahorizontally elongated loop 140. The horizontal extent of the loops 140is such that it is impossible for a ball to pass from the reboundsurface 36 to the return surface 100 without contacting at least one ofthe loops I46 and thereby causing rotation of the correspondingmicroswitch actuator I30. Additionally, the microswitches 82 are mountedsuch that the loops I40 associated with the actuators I30 are located atapproximately the rearmost edge of the form 60 and a level above therebound surface 36 less than the diameter of a golf ball. As a result,when a ball rolls down the rebound surface 36, it will contact one ofthe loops I40 thereby causing counterclockwise rotation (as seen in FIG.5) of the corresponding actuator I30 causing the microswitch 82 togenerate an electrical signal indicating that the same had been actuatedby a rebounding golf ball. After passing the microswitch actuator loop140, the ball will then continue to roll onto the return surface 100 toultimately be returned to the collector I24 described previously.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the general azimuth and elevation detectiongeometry will be described. The target 34 is comprised of four quadrantsI50, I52, I54 and 156. The geometry of the quadrant 152 is identical tothat of the quadrant I54 and similarly, the geometry of the quadrant 156is identical to the geometry of the quadrant I50. Furthermore, thegeometry of the quadrant 154 is the mirror image, i.e., symmetrical to,of the quadrant I50. Thus, it is only necessary to describe the geometryof the quadrant 150.

The quadrant I50 includes a plurality of vertically elongated azimuthangle detection zones and a plurality of horizontally elongatedelevation angle detection zones. As will be seen hereinafter, thedetection zones define both an azimuth angle detection matrix and anelevation angle detection matrix, the specific of which will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

As viewed in FIG. 7, the leftmost vertically elongated or azimuth angledetection zone, designated 158, has an arcuate extent of one-half of 1with respect to the tee point 22. Continuing from left to right, thezone I58 is followed by I0 zones 160 each having an arcuate extent ofl'. Thereafter, there are provided five azimuth detection zones I62 eachhaving an arcuate extent of 2.

From top to bottom as viewed in FIG. 7, the quadrant 150 includes afirst elevation angle detecting zone 164 which has an arcuate extent of5 with respect to the tee point 22. Thereafier, there are six elevationdetection zones 166 each having an arcuate extent of 1%". Finally, thelowermost elevation angle detection zone 168 has an arcuate extent of 5.

Each azimuth angle detection zone whether it be the zone 158, the zonesI60 or the zones 162 is separated from the ad jacent zone a distance ofthree-sixteenth of an inch. Similarly, each of the elevation angledetection zones whether it be the zone 164, the zones I66 or the zone168 is separated from the adjacent elevation angle detection zones bythree-sixteenths of an inch.

From the foregoing description of the makeup of the elevation angle andazimuth angle detection zones and the quadrants I50, I52, I54 and 156,it will be appreciated that either the quadrant I50 or the quadrant I54could be substituted for either the quadrant I56 or I52. For example, ifquadrant I50 is rotated 180' it can be installed in place of quadrant156 and quadrant 156 when rotated 180 can be installed in place ofquadrant I50. As will be seen in greate detail hereinafter, the actualphysical construction of the quadrants I50, I52, I54 and I56 and theirmanner of assemblage into the target 34 is such that such interchangingmay take place.

This unique feature of the construction provides a signili cantadvantage in terms of prolonging the life of the "IVLF'ESH target 34.For example, the vast majority of shots hit in an in door golf game willstrike the target in the quadrants I52 and I56 near their point ofadjacency as seen in FIG. 7. As a result, the greatest degree of wear onthe target 34 will take place in this area with very little wearoccurring in the quadrants I50 and I54. Thus, an owner or lessee of anindoor golf game in order to maximize total target life may at somepoint before total failure of the quadrants I52 and I56 disassem le thetar get 34 and substitute the quadrant I52 for the quadrant I54 and thequadrant I56 for the quadrant I50. Thereafter, the relatively unwomquadrants I50 and I54 will be subjected to the most wear and only afterall four quadrants have been equally deteriorated will it be necessaryto replace the arget 34.

The physical construction of the quadrants forming the ta get 34 is bestillustrated in FIG. 8, The target 34 includes a rigid metal backing I70which is comprised of a spherically shaped support portion I72 and arearwardly extending flange I74. The radius of curvature of thespherical portion 172 is such that the center of the spherical surfacethereof would be located at the tee point 22 as mentioned previously.

Adhered to the spherical portion I72 by means of any suitable adhesiveis an open celled foam pad I76. The foam pad I76 is, in turn, covered bya thin neoprene base sheet 178. Secured in turn to the sheet I78 is abutyl rubber pad 180.

The makeup of the structure as described thus far is such as to providea ball impacting material having a high hysteresis loss so that theelasticity of the collision of a ball with the target 34 will beminimized so that the ball will rebound at a very low rate, essentiallydropping from the collision to the ball rebounding surface 36 to rolltherealong to the spin detector 38.

Secured in turn to the butyl rubber pad 180 is a plurality of firstdetecting strips 182 formed of conductive rubber. The strips I82 arespaced from each other and have a width corresponding to that requiredby the geometry of the elevation of azimuth angle detecting zonesdescribed previously in cor. junction with FIG. 7.

Thereafter, a plurality of foam insulator discs I84 are adhesivelysecured to the strips I02. The foam insulator discs are relatively thinand circular in shape. In the exemplary embodiment, they have a diameterof about one-quarter inch and are located on seven-sixteenths of aninch, staggered centers.

Thereafter, additional conductive rubber detecting strips I86 (only oneof which is shown) are secured to the discs 184 and located with respectto the conductive rubber strips 182 such that they extend transversethereto from detecting zones. Again, the width of the strips I86correspond to the required width of the azimuth angle or elevation angledetecting zone described previously in conjunction with FIG. 6 asrequired.

It should be noted that the conductive rubber strips I82 can form eitherthe azimuth angle detection zones or the elevation angle detection zoneswith the conductive rubber strips 186 forming whichever angle detectionzone is not assigned to the strips I82.

Finally, the entire assemblage is covered by a second neoprene cover 188against which a golf ball will impact.

From the foregoing description of the composition of the target 8, itwill be appreciated that when a ball impacts against the neoprene cover188, the entire target will be compressed to absorb the kinetic energyof the golf ball, Such compression of the target will also result in oneof the conductive rubber strips 186 being driven into electricallyconductive contact with one of the conductive rubber strips I82.Typically, the establishment, even though temporary, of the electricalconnection between a strip I86 and a strip 182 will cause any suitablecircuit to firstly provide a signal indicating which of the strips I82was contacted and a second signal to indicate which of the strips I86was contacted thereby providing both elevation and azimuth angleinformation. Preferably, the establishment of the circuit will alsoindicate that a ball was collided with the target for purposes ofestablishing the second signal required n timing the period required forthe ball to move from the tee point 22 to the target 34.

As mentioned previously, the compression of the target sandwichdescribed previously will also absorb most of the kinetic energy of theball causing the same to drop to the rebound surface 36 to roll throughthe spin detector 38 thereby providing spin detection information. Ofcourse, after the ball rebounds from the target, the presence of thefoam insu ator discs I84 will, one to their inherent resiliency,separate th strips I82 and the strip I86 at the point of impact of theball on the target and normally maintain the strips at such point in anelectrically nonconducting relationship.

Since the target 34 is comprised of four sectors, it is necessary thatsuch sectors be secured together. As indicated in F IG. 8, a secondsector also includes a rigid metal base having a spherical supportportion I72 and a flange I74. By means of bolts I90 and nuts I92together with such spacing washers I94 as may be desirable, adjacentsectors may be secured together. Of course, the second sector will havea sandwich composition secured to its spherical portion 172 in the samemanner as described previously, although the geometry of the arrangementof the tapes 182 and I87 therein may differ according to the geometricalrequirements of the specific sector.

In order to insure uniform rebound and detection characteristics at thejunction between adjacent sandwich compositions, the foam pad I76 ofboth sandwiches adjacent the interface between the sectors includes arecess 196. When the sectors are secured together, a small butyl rubberinsert 198 is located in the two recesses I96 of adjacent sectors sothat a ball impacting on the interface thereon will not tend to push thefoam pads 176 to the side which could result in a highly elasticcollision and injury to a golfer. That is, because a ball impacting atthe interface will cause movement of the butyl rubber inserts I98, thefoam pads 176 will be fully compressed and not separated and arelatively inelastic collision will result.

FIG. 9 illultrates one method by which an electrical connection can bemade with the tapes 182 and I86. Specifically, one of the conductiverubber strips I86 is shown emerging from a side of its correspondingsector and includes a narrowed, rearwardly turned tab 200 to which anelectrical connector 202 is secured. An electrical wire 204 is, in turn,secured to the com nector and is led to a second connector 206 which issecured by means of screws 208 to one of the flanges I74 at the side ofthe target (as opposed to that at an interface between two sectorsforming the target). Any suitable means may be then used to connect theconnector 206 to acomputingcircuit.

FIG. illustrates the interrelationship between the vertically elongateddetecting. zones lmlflt andlfiland-the various spin detecting switches82. it will'be recalled rom the description of FIG. 6 that each half: ofthe target 34' includes 16 azimuth angle detection zones. In practice,the narrowest of the zones 1-58 is connected with the zone B5! on the adjacent sector so that a total of Ed azimuth angle detectionzones arepresent.

The central one of the srn'n detecting switches 82' is then arrangedwith respect to the tee point 22st) that it is directly in line with thesingle central azimuth angle detection zone defined by the detectionzones Oneither side ofthe cenv tral switch 82 are located lllof theswitches which switches are spaced at 1 increments. Thereafter, there isa. Hi increment between the 10th and llth switch. on. each side of thecentral switch 82 and thereafter the remaining switches are spaced at 2increments.

As a result of the foregoing, it will be recognized that while there areonly 3| azimuth angle detection zones provided, there are some 37 spindetection zonesprovided. Sachanexcess of spin detection switches isnecessary in order to insure that a shot directed to one of the endmostazimuth angle detection zones having spin thereon will have the spindetected. For example, if a right-handed golfer were to slice a shothitting the leftmost azimuth angle detection zone illustrated in FIG. 9,it would be clear that the ball would rebound to the left of a linedrawn between the tee point. 22 and such azimuth angle detection. zone.Were only an equal number of azimuth angle detection zones and spindetection zones provided, no spin detection zone would be capable ofdetecting the path of rebound and the side-spin on such a ball wouldgoundetected. However, because of the provision of three extra spindetection zones on each side of a line drawn between the tee point 22and the endmost azimuth angle detection zones, the spin on such shotscan be detected.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a data acquisitionsystem made according to the instant invention provides significantadvantages over those heretofore known. For example, it enables thedetection of spin without requiring a multilevel floor in a buildingnecessitated by the usual pit required for housing the spin detectionequipment. Furthermore, the use of a data system wherein a low velocityrebounding ball provides spin information precludes the possibility ofinjury to a golfer and obviates any requirement for means to preventsuch injury.

Additionally, by utilizing the spherical ball impacting surface havingits center located at the tee point, all errors in determining a timerequired for the ball to pass from the tee point to the detection matrixare eliminated thereby enabling a more accurate determination of thecharacteristics of the shot. Another advantage resides in the uniqueconstruction of the detecting surfaces in the target 34 with respecttoprior art detection systems. For example, no time consuming Md costlyfocusing of photocells and light sources is required Furthermore, it isonly necessary to accurately locate the target 34. and the spin detector38 with respect to the tee point 22 in contrast to prior art systemswhere two sets of light sources in. photocells as well as a shelland aspin detector had to be accurately located with respect to the tee pointAdditionally, the movable and compressible portions of the targetrequired for signalling are nonmetallic and nonbrittle so that they arecapoble of extended wear without failure.

Finally, the unique construction of the target 34. and four sectorspermits the equalization of the wear on all sectors of the target so asto enhance the usefulness thereof.

Having described the specific embodiment of our invention as required by35 U.S.C., we do not wish to be limited to the details set forth, butrather, to have our invention construed broadly according to its truespirit as set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

It A data. acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: meansdefining ates area having a predetermined tee point therein; a targetspaced-from said tee pointv and formed of a. material having. a highhysteresis loss whereby the collision at a golf ball therewith will behighly inelastic, said target presenting a generally spherical surfaceto said tee point with the center of said spherical; surfacebeinglocsted at said tee point; spin detecting meanslocated between saidtee point and saidtargetandadapted to receive a. low velocity ballrebounding. from tsrgst and fee providing information relative to thelocation of the reboundingv ball; horizontally arranged means withinsaid target for, when hit by a. golf ball, providing informationrelative tothe initial angle of elevation of the ball hit from the teepoint; generally vertically arranged; means within. said? target for.when. hit by a ball, generating informer tion-as to the initialangleoliaaimutli ofa ball hit from the tee point; means associated with saidtee point for providing information. when. a ball hasbeen hit therefrom;andmeans oasaid target for providing information when a ball hascollided therewith.

1. The data acquisition system of claim 1. wherein said spin detectingmeans comprises a plurality of switch means, each adapted'to be actuatedby a rebounding ball, located in an arc havingitsoenter at said teepoint.

3. The data acquisition system of claim 2 wherein a ballreboundingsuriace is interposed between said tarpt and said spindetecting, means.

4. The dataacquisitioa system ofclairn 3 wherein each said switch meanscomprises a svsitch having an actuator located above said reboundingsurface adistance less than the diame ter of a gel! ball.

5. The data acquisition system of claim I wherein target comprises arigid backing having a layer of an opened celled learn on the tee sidethereof and a layer of rubber onthe tee side of the foam layer; saidhorizontally arranged means comprising aplurality of generallyhorizontal, spaced conductive rubber strips located on the tee side ofsaid rubber layer; said vertically arranged means a plurality ofgenerally vertically arranged, spaced, conductive rubber strips locatedon the tee sideofsaid rubber layer; nonconductivo meansinterposedbetweensaidhorisontal rubberstripsandsaidvertical rubberstrips normally maintaining said horizontal rubber strips and saidvertical rubber strips in a spaced, noncond-ucting relation; and aprotective covering located on the tee side of said rubber strips 6. Thedataacquisition system of claim 5 wherein said rigid backing, said foamlayer, said rubber layer and said protective covering are formed in atleast two symmetrical portions with said rubber strips included therein,releasable means for securing said portions together to define a singletarget and means for releasably electrically interconnecting at leastsome of the rubber strips in each portion whereby the portions may havetheir locations interchanged to minimize localised wear and extend thelife of the target.

7. A data system for an indoor golf game comprising; means defininga teeares having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from saidtee poit and presenting a generally sphericd surface to said tee pointwith the center of said spherical surface being located at said teepoint; means associated with said tee point for providing a signal whena golf ball is hit therefrom; means associated with said target forproviding a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target; andmeans for utilizing said two signals.

8. A data acquisition system according to claim 7 wherein said targetincludes a generally horizontally arranged electrical matrix forproviding infonnstion relative to the initial angle of elevation of aball hit from said tee point, and a generally vertically arrangedelectrical matrix for providing information relative to the initialazimuth angle of a ball hit from said tee point; said means forproviding a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target beingcomprised of at least one of said matrices.

means interposed between said horizontally arranged strips and saidvertically arranged strips for normally electrically separating the sameexcept when a golf ball impacts against said target to thereby drive oneof said horizontal strips and one of said vertical strips together.

1. A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and formed of a material having a high hysteresis loss whereby the collision of a golf ball therewith will be highly inelastic, said target presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; spin detecting means located between said tee point and said target and adapted to receive a low velocity ball rebounding from said target and for providing information relative to the lOcation of the rebounding ball; horizontally arranged means within said target for, when hit by a golf ball, providing information relative to the initial angle of elevation of the ball hit from the tee point; generally vertically arranged means within said target for, when hit by a ball, generating information as to the initial angle of azimuth of a ball hit from the tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing information when a ball has been hit therefrom; and means on said target for providing information when a ball has collided therewith.
 2. The data acquisition system of claim 1 wherein said spin detecting means comprises a plurality of switch means, each adapted to be actuated by a rebounding ball, located in an arc having its center at said tee point.
 3. The data acquisition system of claim 2 wherein a ball rebounding surface is interposed between said target and said spin detecting means.
 4. The data acquisition system of claim 3 wherein each said switch means comprises a switch having an actuator located above said rebounding surface a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball.
 5. The data acquisition system of claim 1 wherein said target comprises a rigid backing having a layer of an opened celled foam on the tee side thereof and a layer of rubber on the tee side of the foam layer; said horizontally arranged means comprising a plurality of generally horizontal, spaced conductive rubber strips located on the tee side of said rubber layer; said vertically arranged means comprising a plurality of generally vertically arranged, spaced, conductive rubber strips located on the tee side of said rubber layer; nonconductive means interposed between said horizontal rubber strips and said vertical rubber strips normally maintaining said horizontal rubber strips and said vertical rubber strips in a spaced, nonconducting relation; and a protective covering located on the tee side of said rubber strips.
 6. The data acquisition system of claim 5 wherein said rigid backing, said foam layer, said rubber layer and said protective covering are formed in at least two symmetrical portions with said rubber strips included therein, releasable means for securing said portions together to define a single target and means for releasably electrically interconnecting at least some of the rubber strips in each portion whereby the portions may have their locations interchanged to minimize localized wear and extend the life of the target.
 7. A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing a signal when a golf ball is hit therefrom; means associated with said target for providing a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target; and means for utilizing said two signals.
 8. A data acquisition system according to claim 7 wherein said target includes a generally horizontally arranged electrical matrix for providing information relative to the initial angle of elevation of a ball hit from said tee point, and a generally vertically arranged electrical matrix for providing information relative to the initial azimuth angle of a ball hit from said tee point; said means for providing a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target being comprised of at least one of said matrices.
 9. A data acquisition system according to claim 8 wherein said horizontally arranged matrix comprises a plurality of generally horizontal electrically separated conductive rubber strips; said generally vertically arranged matrix comprises a plurality of electrically spaced, vertical conductive rubber strips; and said target further includes inherently resilient means interposed between said horizontally arranged strips and said vertically arranged strips for normally electricalLy separating the same except when a golf ball impacts against said target to thereby drive one of said horizontal strips and one of said vertical strips together. 